Here we go again with another project here at DIYP. This time the project has a really cool theme – sharing. In this project, I am going to ask you to pair up with a friend and share a photography experience. I am going to ask you to temporarily exchange a piece of gear and write a review about it. We also have an awesome sponsor for this one with a set of prizes to fit the theme. I am really exited about this one and I hope I can make my enthusiasm catch.

The Sponsor

We have a really awesome sponsor for this project, BorrowLenses.com. BorrowLenses will provide 3 two-weeks rentals of some great gear to the lucky talented winners.

1st Prize is a two-weeks rental of any camera and lens from the great collection over @ BL. This means that the winner can spend a two week solo time with a nice set like a 5D and a 70-200 2.8 IS combo or a D300 and a 24-70 if you are a Nikon person.

2nd Prize is a two-weeks rental of any body. That means you will have to decide between a D300, a D90 or a 50D. The thrill of making this choice alone is rewarding enough, provided you can stand the pressure of making this tough decision.

3rd Prize is a two-weeks lens rental. Same deal. If you shoot Canon this is your chance to try out a cutie like the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. If you are yellow, it means two weeks with the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G AF-S ED or the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S.

There is some fine print: At the moment we can only deliver prizes to the US. I am still working on European prizes, but at any rate everyone is welcome to join this project. If a non-US entry wins one of the 3 top spots, the prize will be given to the next in line; To make the order we will need your credit card number, you will not be charged, but we need to ensure you don’t run off with the lens. For all the prizes, you’ll have for your selection any of the non-pro camera bodies and the non-super telephoto lenses. 

The Project

I see many great aspects to this project, with two great themes interleaved in them all: Sharing and Learning. And when thinking of this project, I saw a great opportunity for all photographers. If you are just starting, this can be a great chance for you to try out some high-end gear. If you are an enthusiastic hobbyist, you can go back to a basic piece of equipment and write about it with the perspective you have acquired over the years, and if you’re a pro, you’ll get the chance to make someone happy as well as sharing your vast knowledge. But most of all, this project is intended to be great fun. It’s fun because it involves both people and photography. 

Requirements

If you would like to participate in this project (and especially if you would like to enter the contest), please pay careful attention to the requirements. There are several simple steps to complete. This project also involves a bit of writing and some self publication.

1. Find a Partner
Who said photography is a solo art? Photographers are friendly. So to participate you should find someone who is willing to lend you a piece of equipment. It can be a camera body, a lens, a strobe, studio space or an accessory. In return you’ll lend your partner another piece of photography equipment. You can exchange a Nikon for a Canon, A lens for a strobe, similar or different equipment – you are only limited by your generosity and your creativity. You can use the comments below to find a partner, or go with your regular photowalk friend. You can also use this thread to let everyone know you are interested, or to look for partners.

2. Go On a Photography Session With Your Partner
This, I think, is the best part of this project. By shooting together with your partner you gain several nice bonuses; First – it makes you get of the couch and shoot some pictures. Second – your partner can help you learn the ropes on the new gadget.  It would be best if both partners will enter the project, but single submissions are happily accepted.

3. Write a (short) Review on The Equipment You Have Just Used
After playing with your new toy, write a review and share what you have learned about it. The motivation here is double – to educate other photographers on a specific piece of equipment, as well as help you focus your thoughts on the experience. Tell us how it felt. Was it hard or easy to master, was it fun to shoot with. What you liked about it, what didn’t you like. Was there an improvement to your usual workflow? What you write in the review is totally up to you, feel free be creative here. To get an idea of what we are looking for, here are two reviews that we had here on DIYP: the Nikon 85/1.8 and the Lomo Action Sampler.

4. Publish a Photo of Your Piece of Equipment
To go along with your mini review, take a photo of your loaner. This will help other photographer know what your piece of equipment is. This part is important, because your equipment photo will be the link to your project entry when I post the final results (so make sure we can actually see it!).

5. Publish Three Pictures Taken With Your Loaner
OK, you didn’t actually think that there will be no photos involved, right? As part of the review it would be interesting to see three images that were taken with your soon-to-be-gone equipment. One of those three images should be the first image that you took when you held your loaner. The other two are of your choice. 

6. Submit Your Link
This is how you tell me (and the world) that you are participating in this project. To enter you will need to submit a single URL that will hold your review, your three images and the picture of your loaner. Think of this as a great opportunity to try out something new, or share your knowledge of something old. You can do this in so many ways.

7. Deadline: December 20, 2008

Entering The Contest

Each US-located entry will automatically get a chance to win a loaner from our sponsors. Two judges will select two of the winners based on originality, the quality of the review and the submitted images. The remaining prize will be selected by you – DIYP readers.  Please give a big hand to our judges:

Jim Talkinton – Jim has been a professional photographer for over twenty years and he has been all around the industry. Jim dabbled his hands in advertising, photojournalism, editorial, catalog, as well as working as a darkroom technician, retail photo salesman and writing. He has tried all sorts of equipments. Today, he co-owns daylight photo studio and writes a great blog at prophotolife.com.

Brian Auer –  Brian is an enthusiastic hobbyist and an active contributor to the online photography community. Among his many trades are The Epic Edits web blog, The Fine Art PhotoBlog and the Photo Net Cast. Brian has a wide angle view on photography, and is a beacon in the online photography community. It was his 50$ camera challenge that inspired this project.

How to Enter

To enter this project, please send me an mail using the contact form. Select the Something New Category. Just before you hit the send button, please make sure that you are ok with all the project requirements and that you have included the link to your post. If you don’t meet the minimum entry requirements, I’ll ask you to revise your submission. If you do meet them, I’ll send you a confirmation email.